Endlessly Works; 'All Options Open,' Including KY Derby

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/06/2024 - 10:00
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Endlessly Works; 'All Options Open,' Including KY Derby
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Photo: Coady Photo
Endlessly works outside of Blue Eyed George at Churchill Downs

Amerman Racing's Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Endlessly  returned to the work tab for the first time since his convincing victory two weeks ago at Turfway Park with an easy half-mile move in :49 3/5 April 6 at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Endlessly is possible to compete May 4 in the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) with the $600,000 American Turf (G2T) at 1 1/16 miles on turf another option on the undercard. Should the 3-year-old son of Oscar Performance   run in the 1 1/4-mile Derby, it would be his first start on a dirt surface. He has raced exclusively on synthetic and turf surfaces.

"After the Jeff Ruby, Mr. Amerman and I talked and we're going to leave all of our options open," McCarthy said. "We still have a few weeks to train here and have some time to make a final decision as to what we do next."

Endlessly worked at 7:30 a.m. ET with exercise rider Walter Davila in the irons outside of stablemate Blue Eyed George . The duo stayed together for most of the work with Endlessly taking a slight advantage on the gallop out, completing five furlongs in 1:02 4/5, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

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Two hours earlier, Rebel Stakes (G2) runner-up Common Defense  breezed a half-mile in a swift :47 4/5 outside stablemate Real Men Violin . Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Common Defense began his work in a modest :24 3/5 quarter-mile split and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01 2/5, according to Churchill Downs clocker Adam Wallace.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Common Defense has 37 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, which may leave him needing defections to make the race after horses secure points in high-value points races on Saturday.

McPeek's other top 3-year-old, Southwest Stakes (G3) winner and Arkansas Derby (G1) third-place finisher Mystik Dan, is tentatively scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs from Oaklawn in the coming days, according to assistant trainer Greg Geier.

Two Kentucky Derby contenders are scheduled to return to the work tab April 7 at Churchill Downs: Lecomte Stakes (G3) winner and Louisiana Derby (G2) fourth-place finisher Track Phantom  and Louisiana Derby runner-up Honor Marie , who took the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) over the Churchill Downs surface last fall.